Attitudes affect implementation of participation in WFD GoverNat project finds lack of enthusiasm for participatory approaches

This policy brief presents an introduction to multi-level governance of water resources in the European context, focussing on participatory processes. A total of 49 interviews were conducted with practitioners involved in water and biodiversity governance in 11 countries: people working in public administrations, academia, NGOs and private consultancies, mainly at regional and local levels. This allows us to sketch a picture of the interpretation of the legal requirements for participation by those who have to implement them. Last, barriers to successful implementation of participatory requirements are identified and explained. The research we are reporting on here is the first stage of the Marie Curie Research Trainin